3rd Afghan War

[Vigilant]

Alan Morris in "The First of the Many" says that the only pilot to bomb from a HP 0/1500 was during the Third Afghan War of 1919. I seem to have missed this one! Anybody know what on earth the 3rd Afghan War was all about? This should test your erudition.

Also does anyone know how long the 1500 stayed in RAF service for?

[Barrett]

I don't know anything about the Handley-Page 1500, but maybe I can put its use somewhat in context. The Brits devised a doctrine after WW I called "aerial pacification." Essentially it involved bombing and strafing the bejabbers out of any indigenous personnel (i.e., natives) who declined the honor of belonging to The Empah. It was extremely successful in Iraq, as Dr. Richard Hallion (now the USAF Historian) noted on his book about the evolution of bombing, the title of which I forget. The downside: any bomb droppers unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of the droppees met an extremely unpleasant end.
The aerial pacification policy was less successful in Afghanistan, where the same hardy folks who fought The Evil Empire with bolt-action rifles and Stinger missiles also resisted the British. The late John Masters--a super writer, BTW--drolly noted that the Pathan tribesmen of the NW Frontier used to apply for campaign medals, arguing with perfect logic that they were British subjects, had engaged in the military activities in their area, and deserved the same gongs as His Majesty's soldiers.

Probably not much help but - one of my bomber guides lists the last one in service as 1921 and says none were ever on the civil register. One was used as a transport on a London-Brussels route in 1919. It also says the one mission in the
Afghan war was to bomb Kabul.
As far as the 3rd Afghan war -I've got a lame book that covers it -I'll try and find it and post the title for you. I think all it was is one of the periodic uprisings on the NW frontier and that the
bombing mission helped bring about a peace settlement.

Back with the title after I dig through Christmas presents, unbuilt kits and assorted clutter and get to the box.

John G.

Hi,Tom.No,no 0/1500 or any other type of aeroplane was used in the 3rd Afghan War for the simple reason that it took place in around 1888-93!I don't have the exact dates here with me now,but could easily send you the full dope should you require it.The Afghans under Dost Muhammed attacked the British Residency under Maj.Sir Louis Napoleon Cavagnari and killed him and his(limitedBritish/Indian)troops.Relief under Field Marshal the Earl Roberts VC,finally re-took Kabul.NOBODY ever ruled Afghanistan(it's still happening!!).In this century,after the advent of the aeroplane and,more importantly,the advent of the aeroplane in the North West Frontier Province(NWFP),punitive raids were sent against errant villages(not paying taxes,shooting at the army,stealing from supply caravans,etc)by warning the village on the previous day so that the villagers could evacuate!!The next day,the village would be bombed,but never destroyed.Pilots and observers would carry a "Goolie Chit"(a goolie or golie is a marble!!)promising anyone who did not harm the aircrew a monetary reward!!The aeroplanes would take off from the frontier field of Miranshah,which was a Beau Geste fort which used to be locked at night with the aeroplanes inside,flying being done during the day from the field outside!I have friends who have gone on these raids on Wapitis,Lysanders and even Hurricanes!Several times,aeroplanes(especially of the Wapiti type)would be shot down,with the crew(British or Indian)being rescued in the nick of time by nearby Indian or British infantry/cavalry!I do know for a fact,however,that no IAF crew lost their "goolies"between 1932 and 1947,and if they DID,they aren't squeaking about it!!!Cheers.Mukund.

Sorry,Tom.What I arrogantly shot my mouth off about was the SECOND Afghan War...the Third WAS in 1919,as a result of several Afghan tribes amassed on the NWFP about to attack India.So I can't say if 1500's were used.The rest of the stuff is accurate.However,I deserve to get MY goolies shot off for my arrogance!Sorry.Cheers.

Afganistan remained neutral throughout the First World War, despite German and Turkish missions and despite widespread religious agitation for participation on the Turkish side. Heavy subsidies from the government of India no doubt played a considerable role in holding amir Amanullah to the policy of his father. On Feb. 19, 1919 his father Habibullah was assassinated, evidently because of his subservience to the British. Borne upon a wave of anti-British sentiment he took advantage of the war-weariness in India to proclaim a religious war and appeal to the Indian Moslems to rise against British rule.The Afghans began to invade India, but were thrown back and threatened with invasion themselves. The amirs plans of conquering India had failed, having entirely underestimated the strength of the British Position. The war took place between 6th May - 8th Aug. 1919. This is the first occasion on which the Royal Flying Corps took part in India campaigns. The previous service of the Royal Flying Corps which was in action during the Mohamand Blockade in 1916 has been excluded. The R.A.F. 52 Wing; comprised of 20, 31, 48, 114 Squadrons.
All the best
Ron B.

[Vigilant]

Thanks for all the replies. Once again the forum rises to a challenge. Mukund, never mind; it was worth learning about the "goolie chit!"

Chas Bowyer's 'Handley Page Bombers of the First WW' ISBN 0 946627 68 1, cites V/1500 serial J1936, as bombing Kabul on 24 May,1919 with four 112lb. and twenty 20lb bombs, flown by 'Jock' Halley, E Villiers and 3 NCO's.

The flight lasted 6 hours and had to pass through the Jadgalak Pass at 8,000 ft.

Four bombs hit Amanullah's palace, one demolishing a wall in the Harem nearly killing him!

It certainly had the desired effect as the Amir quickly sought an armistice with the Indian Govt. on 3 June and a formal peace treaty was signed on 8 August.

For further background in to British activities against the Russians and later on the Germans, 'The Great Game' and 'On Secret Service East of Constantinople' by Peter Hopkirk are tremendous reads.

I need to read on a bit more to discover the final fate of the V/1500's but J1936 was eaten by termites!!

Happy Christmas!